How to Care for a Loved One on a Home Ventilator

Home ventilators are needed for people who have various illnesses and injuries which interfere with breathing. People with spinal cord injuries and neuromuscular disorders may be dependent on ventilators to live, for example. Medical equipment companies provide nurses or respiratory therapists who will visit the home. However it's important a caregiver in the home becomes familiar with how to take care of a loved on a home ventilator.

Instructions

1. Ask the medical staff for information. Your medical equipment company which services the ventilator will provide information when they initially set up the ventilator. A staff member will also be assigned to your loved one and periodically will do a home visit. Discuss your concerns and ask questions. Be sure you have an emergency 24-hour contact number.

2. Inform your electrical company. Power outages do occur. If your home ventilator runs primarily on electricity, inform the power company you have a home ventilator. They may suggest having an emergency generator on hand. Keep in mind most home ventilators have a battery pack as a backup to electricity.

3. Learn how to suction. Many patients on home ventilators will need to have the mucus suctioned out of the trachea. Your home health company will teach you how use a suction catheter.

4. Get a backup plan in place. Equipment can break or malfunction. If your loved one is entirely dependent on a home ventilator for survival be sure to have emergency equipment at home in case the ventilator breaks. An ambu bag and portable oxygen tank can be used to give breaths to the patient until medical help arrives.

5. Understand the length of the battery life. If you and your loved one will be traveling away from home the ventilator can run on a battery. Be sure you know how long the battery will last and plan accordingly.